Hat-tray



No. 62!,9. Pate nted Mar. 28, I899..

G. E. FARWELL.

HAT TRAY.

(Application filed Jan. 5, 1898.)

(No Model.)

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. FARWELL, OF QHIOAGO, ILLINOIS.

" HAT-TRAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 621,911, dated March 28 1899.

Application filed January 5, 1898. Serial No. 665,680. (No model.)

To all whom it nuty concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. FARWELL, a citizen of the United States,.residing in Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illi nois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hat-Trays, whereof the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a tray which will be adapted to carry hats in a trunk in such manner as to preserve them from damage and which will also be arranged to be used as a display-stand for displaying the hats. I accomplish this object as hereinafter specified and as illustrated in the drawings.

That which I regard as new will be set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an edge view of my improved tray in position for displaying the hats. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tray. Fig. 3 is a detail of part of the folding rack. Fig. 4 is a sectional view'on' line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

5 indicates the tray, which is provided with a series of holes 6 of suitable size and shape to receive the hats. In the drawings I have shown the tray as provided with eight holes; but obviously the number may be varied as desired.

Each tray is provided with legs 7 to support it at a proper distance above the tray immediately below it in the trunk, as shown in Fig. 1.

8 indicates a series of bags or cases secured to the under side of the tray around each hathole 6 to protect the hat from dust, &c.

9 indicates flanges which surround the hatholes, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and support the hats at a suitable height to protect the hat-brims.

10 indicates a series of hat-racks, one of which is provided at each hat-hole, as shown in Fig. 2. Each rack 10, as herein shown, consists of a bail having its ends pivoted upon studs 11, secured at opposite ends of the hat-hole in such manner that the rack may be folded against the tray and around the hat-hole or may be turned down into 'a position substantially at right angles to the tray, as shown in Fig. 1. Thestuds 11 are secured to the vertical portion 12 of angleplates 13, which are secured to the tray, as

shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and the racks are best pivotally secured to the studs by twist- .ing their ends around the studs, the ends 14 of the racks being arranged at right angles to the main portion thereof, as shown in Fig. 4. By'this construction the ends 14 serve to limit the extent to which the racks may be turned upon their pivots, since, as shown in Fig. 1, when the racks are turned to a position at right angles to the tray the ends 14 rest against the surface thereof. I do not, however, wish to be limited to making the racks of one piece.

When the tray 5 is in the trunk, the racks 10 are folded against the tray, as shown in Fig. 2, and the hats rest in the different holes. When, however, it is desired to display the hats, the tray is removed from the trunk and set on end, as shown in Fig. 1. The racks are then turned down into operative position and the hats drawn out, their outer ends resting upon the front edges of the racks, their inner ends resting in the hatholes, as indicated by dotted lines. I thus provide a hat-tray which may be readily converted into a display-stand and which is cheap in construction and simple in operation.

\Vhile I have described my invention in detail, I do not wish to be restricted to the specific construction set forth herein, as many modifications may be made without departing from my invention.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a tray having one of bails pivoted to the tray at opposite sides of the hat-holes, and means for limiting the extent to which said racks may be rocked, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a tray having angle-pla'tes 13 and studs 11 secured thereto, of a bail pivoted upon said studs, the ends of said bail being turned at an angle to the main portion thereof and forming stops to limit the rocking of said bail, and one or more hatholes, substantially as described.

GEORGE E. FARWELL.

Witnesses:

HERRICK E. STEPHENS, BENJAMIN F. STEPHENS.

' or more hat-holes, of folding racks consisting 

